ixigo AU Credit Card: The Travel Partner For The Everyday Traveller

Amidst a crowded market of cashback, lifestyle and premium metal cards, the ixigo AU Credit Card is a handy and travel-focused offering that combines value with utility. Designed with the travel enthusiasts in mind who like to save money and enjoy the convenience of bookings in railway, bus, flight and hotel, the co-branded credit card is a collaboration between AU Small Finance Bank and ixigo, India's fastest growing travel platform.

In this comprehensive review, we dissect everything you need to know about the ixigo AU Credit Card, including details about the rewards and travel perks on offer, eligibility and customer experience. If you use trains or buses a lot, or if you just like a headache-free travel-reward experience, then this card could be for you.

Card Overview: A Lifetime-Free Powerhouse

The ixigo AU Credit Card’s main sales pitch is that it’s lifetime free: there are no joining fees and no annual renewal fees. It has two network choices, Visa and RuPay, and gives cardholders the choice between the two at the time of the application.

The card is largely targeted at those who use ixigo for making their travel (train and bus in particular) bookings. But where it stands out is that it doesn’t leave everything else out of the picture with regard to spend categories, giving rewards for both online and offline transactions.

Key Facts:

• Issuer: AU Small Finance Bank

• Partner: ixigo

• Choice of Card Network: Visa or RuPay (choice to be exercised by the applicant)

• Joining Fee: Nil

• Annual Fee: Nil

Welcome Bonuses: Getting off on the Right Foot

After activation and successful close of the first transaction within 30 days, users are welcomed with:

• 1,000 Reward Points

• ixigo money worth ₹1,000 (to be used on the platform)

This has got to hurt: Introductory payouts that are perfect for anyone who wants to see just how much cash they can save while playing with the site.

Travel Perks That Actually Matter

Whereas most cards are air travel-centric, the ixigo AU Credit Card gives preference to railways and buses which are the most frequently used transport mediums in India.

Railway & Bus Benefits:

• 0 Payment Gateway Charges: On train bookings (2 per calendar month)

• Reward Points: 20 for every ₹200 spent on train bookings

• 10% off on Bus Ticket booking: (Max discount of ₹300; 4 transactions per month)

Flight & Hotel Benefits:

• 10% Instant Discount on Flight Bookings: (Up to ₹1,000/month)

• Flat 10% off on hotel bookings: up to ₹1,000/month

Terms and Conditions: These offers can be availed only when you book your tickets through the ixigo app and websites with the AU Bank credit card.

Rewards: Get Paid to Shop

On the ixigo AU Credit Card, the reward system is simple but attractive for anyone who shops online and spends on just about anything:

• 10 Reward Points per ₹200 on online purchases

• 5 Reward Points per ₹200 spent on offline spends

The points can be redeemed on anything – be it a travel booking, your favorite merchandise, vouchers of your choice, etc on the rewards platform of AU Bank.

Lounge Access Worldwide: Airports, Railways and Beyond

This card is great for travelers who are on the road often and want to get away from the crowds and have access to some lounge services:

• Domestic Airport Lounges: 8 visits/year (max 2 per quarter; quarterly spend of ₹20,000 required)

• Airport Lounges (Visa version): 1 visit/year

• Railway Lounges: 8 visits/year

It's a rare and relatively unsung development to see railway lounge access as a modest practical boon for domestic travellers.

Forex Markup Fee: Going Global Smartly

There is also the 0% forex markup on the Visa version. Most credit cards charge anywhere between 2-3.5% on foreign transactions, but not the ixigo AU Credit Card – it charges nothing, so it’s a great choice for those who are shopping internationally, making travel bookings or even for online subscriptions!

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

You also get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver between ₹400 and up to ₹5,000, up to a maximum ₹250 per month for transactions. Though this is basic, it helps to round out the utility of the card.

Security Features

AU Small Finance Bank offers free of charge zero lost card liability if detected and reported in time. In addition to this, the 48 days free credit option ensures peace of mind and optimum liquidity in the card.

Charges & Fees

The card also maintains simplicity around its charges:

• Joining Fee: ₹0

• Annual Fee: ₹0

• Finance Charges: 3.75% per month (~45% APR)

• Late Payment Fee:

  • ₹100 for dues up to ₹1,000

  • ₹700 for dues up to ₹5,000

  • ₹1,300 for dues above ₹5,000

How It Stacks Up to Other Travel Cards

What Users Are Saying

Although it is well raved for value and utility, some of the users have had problems with AU Bank Card's CS as well as technical issues during KYC.

Positives:

• “The Visa version is a slam dunk for use abroad. Zero forex is a gem."

• “Train lounge access and ixigo flight discounts are a good deal."

Negatives:

• "The onboarding process is clunky. KYC verification in AU is not a cake walk."

• “Support is often late in responding when there are issues."

Who Should Get This Card?

This card is ideal for:

• Frequent train or bus travelers

• Budget-conscious flyers

• Users who want to get free airport & railway lounge access

• Online spenders wanting general rewards

• International shoppers (Visa users)

This card is not ideal for:

• Premium cardholders used to concierge service

• Travelers looking for substantial international benefits

• Heavy customer service dependent types

Final Verdict

The ixigo AU Credit Card is a surprisingly full-featured travel credit card that does well where competitors usually don't — reasonable commuting benefits, cost-effective ease of use, and functional rewards. Its unique mix of no annual fees, railway benefits, forex-free spending and travel deals helps it to differentiate in the entry-level card landscape.

And if you are hoping to cut back on everyday travel expenses and earn substantial rewards on online spending, this card punches well above its class.